Marijuana.com

joojoo

I've played basketball for about 14 years. I've smoked herb for only a year. I never thought I'd try both simultaneously. Well, I did. Twice.

During the past basketball season I got a little high (1 sizeable joint hit) and went directly to play in a game. I had about 10 points in the 1st quarter and some number of rebounds, both up dramatically from my average per game at that point, all without stupid turnovers and the like. I'd have continued to play, but coach took me out and said I was getting a breather, so I didn't go back into the game until I came all the way back down.

I shrugged it off as a fluke.

That is, until recently. The season now over, I played one saturday with a bunch of the varsity players. One of these guy's brother was in town, who also played varsity at a very reputable 4-a in our state (we are 2-a). This kid was good; he had an excellent set jumper, decent with the ball on the floor, and was both tall and athletic. And wouldn't you know it, I get stuck defending him.

Well, to top it off, I had smoked directly before this (split a bowl with a friend, my tolerance was really low b/c I hadn't smoked in a while). I was at about an average highness I guess. To make a long story short, I murdered. In the first 2 games I scored the VAST majority of our teams points (8 or 9 out of 10, I can't remember), lotsa rebounds, and even a few blocks on this monstrous guy I was guarding. I held him to about 20-30%, and didn't let him have many attempts. The rest of the five games we played continued in like fashion. I got a lot of good comments from my team, even to the extent of "Man, all we have to do is give (joojoo) the ball, and we win." One player in particular came up between games and commented on my play, and I said, "Yeah, this bud is pretty good." He laughed and said, "for real?" I nodded and he said, "man, that stuff must give you superpowers or something." No joke.

It was crazy, it was like I saw all the plays develop before they happened on both ends of the court, and just reacted automatically. cliched, I know, but it was zen-like.

I did notice, to be fair, that I fatigued noticeably faster, but it was more of a mental fatigue than anything, and I found that I could fight through it and ignore it and it would go away.

I the green that I smoked, in subsequent sessions I found to be pretty balanced, cerebral stimulation and bodily stimulation being about equal. I wonder if the indica influence was the source of the fatigue. Oh well, an excuse for further "testing" I guess! Perhaps if a more sativa-like bud were smoked, it'd be more zen and less yawn. Regular bud in a vaporizer would be much the same way (I've found that vaporizing and smoking more sativa-ish bud yield similar highs, but thats a topic for another thread I guess.)

This phenomenon I've experienced goes completely counter to everything I've ever heard on both sides of the drug war. I've contemplated the idea that perhaps its a placebo thing, but I doubt it... I was worrying both times that my play would be worse, not better. It does fit, however, into my theory of what you can and can't do well while high. It's about familiarity; I've played ball for years, and am completely at home doing it. Therefore, being high does not impair it, but enhances it. Same with guitar; when I was just learning, I couldn't play a lick high. Now, I love to play high, and people have told me I play better (they didn't know I was high either). However, I'm a bad driver. I make up for this by focusing and being very careful, but the bottom line is that I'm not a good driver. The few times I've tried to drive high were the worst experiences I've ever had. It was so nervewracking! However, some people say they drive better high, and I argue that it is because they are so good, so familiar with driving that it takes no mental effort for them, so decreased linear thought and increased associative thought do not impair their driving.

Thoughts? Anyone out there experience similar things?

 

Ages

Well I doubt people will smoke to become super neo communists Mexican warriors like the ads used to say. I think you were high and relaxed and when you were playing everything was coming naturally with no stress. You weren't worried about doing good so you did excellent? When I'm playing hacky sack I often do way better high not sure why. I think its more about not getting excited about a situation, which sometimes make you mess it up and not caring if you messed up and just focusing on doing better. Mind over matter. One of the biggest parts about most sports is the physiology of it.

DonkeyPunch

Much like the prophesy of the King James Playbook, you have received Court Vision!! Can I get a "Lay-up?"

"Lay-up!!"

Sorry bout that. Just saw the Bernie Mac Nike commercial, and had to quote it. Anyway, If I smoke just a bit before any type of sport or game that needs good reaction times, I find that I am better able to just react to things rather than think too much and react a bit slower. Just today, it was pretty nice out, so a few of us played some whiffle ball in the park nearby (I sound like I'm 13!). I can hit the ball stoned no matter how much movement is on it, whether it dances like a knuckle ball or drops away like a curve. I'm not trying to think about where it will go, I'm seeing it move and getting in front of it. If I was sober, I probably would have broken an ankle striking out so hard. (I love baseball, but it was never my sport...)

Try shooting free throws high next time you get a chance. They can become automatic very quickly...

__________________
Posting Guidelines

soar2thaclouds

Its interesting you brought that all up.

Ever since I started using marijuana medicinally (a few months ago), I found my game has gone to new levels. I've played bball for most of my life. I'm in college now. When I'm on my capsules, or even if I vape before going to the courts, I'm a different player.

Normally when I play, I am just not as motivated, and I can tell that I"m mentally not even in the game. But, when I have even a little weed in my system, my focus returns and I become very motivated.

In fact, since I've started using, I've started being able to dunk better. It seems I don't think about not being able to dunk...I visualize myself going up in the air or something, and it happens. Also, I can just flow on the court ouch easier. I don't worry about getting blocked, or have those thoughts. I feel more fearless, and just attack the basket.

Yesterday, coincidentally, I was playing with one of the star basketball players of a team that made it to the sweet 16. I won't say for privacy reasons. Anyways, he gave me a lot of compliments on the floor. Also, I just picked up my skateboard the other day, and I noticed that I seem fearless now. I can even just skate switch if I want. Its all about confidence, and not being fearful, and for me marijuana helps get rid of that fear. I've noticed that I can feel myself get scared when I go kinda fast down a hill or whatnot, but with mj, I can overide that fear, instead of having it overwhelm me and shut me down. So, if I'm all wobbly going down the hill, I'll just tell myself to relax, and suddenly I'm smooth sailing.

So yes, it has DRASTICALLY helped me out. Another thing you might want to try is Yerba Mate. Its a plant from South America, you make it into a tea. Anyways, when I drink that b4 working out or playing bball it also gives you physical endurance. So, not only are you mentally in the game, but physically also. I just started the Mate though, but I can definitely tell you marijuana is great, and I have consistenly proven to myself that there are so many lies surrounding mj.

joojoo

This, at least to me, is nothing short of incredible. This is completely opposite everything that Anyone has ever told me, although I did read something in The Emperor Wears no Clothes about runners smoking for dilation of airways and breathing ability (counterintuitive, yes, but what in this thread isn't?). The more feedback, the better! This is a very interesting and new (at least to me) idea, that cannabis can be a phyisical enhancement drug. The more data that the community can gather, the better. If you have a story, post it! try and include intensity of stone, strain or at least indica/sativa dominance, method of use, specific facet of performance enhanced, etc. I've always considered myself somewhat of an enhancement smoker (half baked, anyone?) but this is nuts!

 

urite4594

Lol. Just yesterday i played a round of golf stoned and did pretty well. Probably about 6 pars, the rest bogies and double bogies. I took two hits from a bong before we headed for the course. When i'm srtaight and go to play golf, i just get soooo frustrated. Golf is by far the most frustrating sport on earth. When stoned I can just relax and swing the club, hit the ball far, and make it go in the hole. It becomes more simple to me when under the influence. I've also skated many times while high. I attempted to ollie a 9 stair but unfortunately ate ****. I know that if i wasn't high there was no way i would even think about attempting the 9. I think a big reason, at least for me, is after i smoke im able to focus and simplify things and just relax. Go with the flow, and it all ends up better. Lol. If you told this to an anti pot fanatic they would think your just a moron but it's true, for me at least. Smoke on...

joojoo

Thanks urite, that's a great point about anti-pot fanatic point of view. Imagine a commercial where you start out with a basketball player or soccer player or whatever sport, totally in the zone, scoring, moving, playing the game amazingly well like it isn't anything. Other players say, "man, he brought his a-game today..." narrator's voice comes in, "It's okay, just tell them you got stoned before the game." Cut to black and white: Pot... Thought you knew everything, didn't you? That will shut those damned annoying pdfa tv spots up. hehe... oh well. More feedback!

urite4594

Lol. The irony of it all.

Rizzo22

it prolly because you don't notice the pain of running, jumping etc..ect....
also it is supposed to open up the airways so maybe it helps....

__________________
No I don't have any dain bramage.......
TGFV

joojoo

Also a good point, Rizzo. I'm reminded of defensive position drills we do every year, shuffling across the court in a half-squatted position where basically, all one's bodyweight is on their quads. Mad pain, to say the least. Yet, we're coached through it and encourage each other to not listen to the pain. If one were to smoke before doing this type of drill, the pain would be dramatically decreased, and I imagine the drill would still be effective at stressing and therefore strengthening the target muscles. I could see this having huge application in any area of non-sport-specific training, like weightlifting or endurance training or plyos, where muscular discomfort becomes a major factor. No pain, all gain! haha! Anyone have any past experience with this particular type of marijuana use? more feedback!